MOERI’s Ice Model Test for Korean Icebreaking Research Vessel

Abstract

In the near future, the number of ice-going breakers operating in the northern sea route will be increased, as potential international trade between the North Atlantic and the North Pacific region increases. Since many ice-going breakers are expected to be developed, various kinds of ice model tests will be carried out in order to improve their ice-going capability as well as their performance. This in turn leads to increased demand for physical model testing in ice to assist a design process and to improve a vessel’s ice-going capability and performance. The estimation of a ship’s resistance in ice-covered seas has been a very interesting topic to shipbuilders. Ice resistance is related to the propulsion of a ship, and it determines the engine power of the ship. Generally, ice resistance is related to ice conditions, such as ice thickness and ice flexural strength, and its operating condition (speed). In order to check the reliability and the accuracy of the ice test as a whole, some comparative studies were made. With the support of the Korean Government, the research community, and the ship-building industries, MOERI decided to build the next generation ice model basin at Daejeon. The MOERI ice model basin was completed at the end of September 2009 (see Figure 1). Since 2009, MOERI’s ice tank has produced more than 20 ice sheets, and a series of ice model tests for the Korean icebreaking research vessel was conducted. The test results are compared with those conducted in the Helsinki university ice model basin in 2004-2005.